Echinacea plant named ‘IFECSSCAR’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Echinacea  plant named ‘IFECSSCAR’, characterized by its relatively compact and upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; strong flowering stems; numerous single-type inflorescences with purplish red-colored ray florets and dark red-colored receptacle spines; and good garden perfotmance.

Botanical designation: Echinacea hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘IFECSSCAR’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR & APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee, Innoflora Plant Breeding B.V.of Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands on Nov. 24, 2022, application number2022/2654. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofEchinacea plant, botanically known as Echinacea hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘IFECSSCAR’.

The new Echinacea plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop new vigorous and freelyflowering Echinacea plants with large inflorescences with unique andattractive ray floret coloration.

The new Echinacea plant originated from a cross-pollination conducted bythe Inventor in July, 2018 in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands ofEchinacea hybrida ‘Apecssired’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,825,as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Echinaceahybrida identified as code number 009-17-K061-01, not patented, as themale, or pollen, parent. The new Echinacea plant was discovered andselected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouseenvironment in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands in August, 2019.

Asexual reproduction of the new Echinacea plant by in vitro meristemculture in a controlled environment in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlandssince September, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newEchinacea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Echinacea have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘IFECSSCAR’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘IFECSSCAR’ as a new and distinct Echinaceaplant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact and upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit.    -   4. Strong flowering stems.    -   5. Numerous single-type inflorescences with purplish red-colored        ray florets and dark red-colored receptacle spines.    -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Echinacea can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Apecssired’. Plants of the new Echinacea differ primarily fromplants of ‘Apecssired’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Echinacea are shorter than plants of        ‘Apecssired’.    -   2. Plants of the new Echinacea are not as freely flowering as        plants of ‘Apecssired’.    -   3. Ray florets of plants of the new Echinacea are purplish red        in color whereas ray florets of plants of ‘Apecssired’ are red        in color.

Plants of the new Echinacea can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Echinacea differ primarily from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Echinacea are taller than plants of the        male parent selection.    -   2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Echinacea have two whorls        of ray florets whereas inflorescences of plants of the male        parent selection have a single whorl of ray florets.    -   3. Ray florets of plants of the new Echinacea are purplish red        in color whereas ray florets of plants of the male parent        selection are pink in color.

Plants of the new Echinacea can be compared to plants of Echinaceahybrid ‘Sensation Pink’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,593. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Echinacea differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Sensation Pink’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Echinacea are more compact than plants of        ‘Sensation Pink’.    -   2. Plants of the new Echinacea have stronger stems than plants        of ‘Sensation Pink’.    -   3. Plants of the new Echinacea are not as freely flowering as        plants of ‘Sensation Pink’.    -   4. Inflorescences of plants of the new Echinacea have two whorls        of ray florets whereas inflorescences of plants of ‘Sensation        Pink’ have a single whorl of ray florets.    -   5. Ray florets of plants of the new Echinacea are purplish red        in color whereas ray florets of plants of ‘Sensation Pink’ are        bright pink in color.

Plants of the new Echinacea can also be compared to plants of Echinaceapurpurea ‘Fatal Attraction’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Patent number18,429. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Echinacea differprimarily from plants of ‘Fatal Attraction’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Echinacea are more compact than plants of        ‘Fatal Attraction’.    -   2. Plants of the new Echinacea flower earlier than plants of        ‘Fatal Attraction’.    -   3. Ray florets of plants of the new Echinacea are purplish red        in color whereas ray florets of plants of ‘Fatal Attraction’ are        red purple in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Echinacea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Echinacea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘IFECSSCAR’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the left of the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is a close-upview of typical inflorescences of ‘IFECSSCAR’.

The photograph at the right of the second sheet (FIG. 3 ) is a close-upview of typical leaves of ‘IFECSSCAR’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the summer in 19-cm containersin an outdoor nursery in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands and undercultural practices typically used in commercial Echinacea production.During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18C to34C and night temperatures ranged from 8C to 18C. Plants were 15 weeksold when the photographs and description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Echinacea hybrida ‘IFECSSCAR’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Echinacea hybrida ‘Apecssired’, disclosed in            U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,825.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Echinacea hybrida            identified as code number 009-17-K061-01, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem culture.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About twelve days at            temperatures about 20C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 16 days at            temperatures about 20C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 36 days            at temperatures about 18C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 42 days            at temperatures about 18C.        -   Root description.—Thick, fleshy; typically white in color,            actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation,            substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial;            relatively compact and upright plant habit; broadly oblong            to obovate in overall shape; freely basal branching habit            with about eleven primary lateral branches and about 14            secondary lateral branches developing per plant; moderately            vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height.—About 45.8 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 38.3 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 20.7 cm. Diameter: About            6 mm. Internode length: About 4.1 cm. Aspect: Erect to about            12.5 degrees from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture:            Densely pubescent; strigose. Color: Close to 200B to 200D;            on the shaded side, tinged with close to 152C.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Basal and cauline leaves.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple.            Length: About 13.7 cm. Width: About 5 cm. Shape: Ovate to            narrowly ovate. Apex: Narrowly acute; moderately recurved.            Base: Attenuate. Margin: Irregular, shallow and broadly            dentate. Texture and luster, upper surface: Moderately            pubescent, strigose and rough; slightly glossy. Texture and            luster, lower surface: Sparsely pubescent, strigose and            rough; slightly glossy. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color:            Developing leaves, upper surface: Slightly darker than 143A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 144A. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation,            close to 146B to 146C. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface:            Close to 137B; venation, close to 146C and 146D.        -   Petioles, basal and cauline leaves.—Length: About 5.7 cm.            Diameter: About 3 mm by 4 mm. Texture, upper surface:            Smooth, glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Sparsely            pubescent. Color, upper surface: Close to 137A; midvein,            close to 146D variably tinged with close to 183B. Color,            lower surface: Close to 137B; midvein, close to 146D            slightly tinged with close to 183C.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Single-type inflorescences with ray and disc            florets arranged on a capitulum; inflorescences positioned            upright above the foliar plane on mostly upright and strong            peduncles.        -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering habit with about 36            developing and fully developed inflorescences per plant.        -   Fragrance.—If detected, faintly fragrant; sweet and            pleasant.        -   Time to flower.—Plants flower continuously from late June            into late September in The Netherlands.        -   Inflorescence longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good            substance for about three weeks on the plant; inflorescences            persistent.        -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 3 cm. Diameter: About            2.9 cm. Shape: Obovate. Color: Immature involucral bracts,            close to 137A; immature ray florets, close to 187D; immature            receptacle spines, darker than a blend of 187A and 200A.        -   Inflorescence size—Diameter: About 10.4 cm. Depth (height):            About 3.4 cm. Disc diameter: About 3.2 cm.        -   Receptacles.—Height: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm.            Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 155C.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 27 to 30            arranged in about two whorls at the base of the receptacle.            Length: About 4.6 cm. Width: About 1.8 cm. Shape: Oblong to            broadly oblanceolate; slightly carinate. Apex: Praemorse,            irregular. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and            luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately velvety;            matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Aspect: Erect to about 20 degrees from            horizontal; with development, apices slightly curled            downward. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to a            blend of 51A and 53D. When opening, lower surface: Close to            58A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 60B; venation,            close to 60B; color becoming closer to 60C to 60D with            subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close            to 60C and 63B; venation, close to 60C and 63B; color            becoming closer to 60B and 63C with subsequent development.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 280 per            inflorescence, arranged spirally at the center of the            inflorescence. Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Shape: Tubular; proximal 11% free, not fused. Apex: Acute.            Base: Fused. Margin, free-part: Entire. Texture and luster,            inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; moderately            glossy. Color, when opening, inner and outer surfaces:            Distally, close to 183A and proximally, close to 146D.            Color, fully opened, inner and outer surfaces: Distally,            close to 183A and proximally, close to 146D.        -   Receptacle spines.—Quantity: One per disc floret; about 280            per inflorescence. Shape: Acicular. Apex: Acute. Base:            Attenuate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.            Color: Apex: Close to N45A. Mid-section: Close to N34B.            Base: Close to 145A.        -   Involucral bracts.—Quantity per inflorescence: About 80            arranged in about four whorls. Length: About 1.2 cm. Width:            About 3 mm. Shape: Narrowly ovate; strongly reflexed. Apex:            Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster,            upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Texture            and luster, lower surface: Sparsely pubescent; matte. Color,            upper surface: Close to 147A strongly tinged with close to            183A. Color, lower surface: Close to 146A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 16.8 cm. Diameter: About 5 cm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture:            Moderately to densely pubescent; strigose. Color: Close to            187A; distally, tinged with close to 146A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium (present on ray and disc            florets): Quantity per floret: Five. Filament length: About            4 mm. Filament color: Close to 150D. Anther length: About            3.5 mm. Anther shape: Linear. Anther color: Close to N200A.            Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 17B.            Gynoecium (present only on disc florets): Quantity per            floret: One. Pistil length: About 6 mm. Stigma shape:            Decurrent, unequal. Stigma color: Close to 183A. Style            length: About 5 mm. Style color: Close to 145D. Ovary color:            Close to 157C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Echinacea.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Echinacea    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Echinacea plants.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Echinacea have exhibited good    garden performance and to tolerate rain and wind. Plants of the new    Echinacea have been observed to tolerate high temperatures of about    35C and to be hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 4.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Echinacea plant named ‘IFECSSCAR’as illustrated and described.